Putin Gets Lavish Welcome in North Korea, Signs Partnership Pact with Kim

Cheering crowds and lavish ceremonies greeted Russian President Vladimir Putin in Pyongyang on Wednesday, where he and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed an agreement upgrading their countries’ ties to a “comprehensive strategic partnership”.
Putin’s visit, which likely to reshape decades of Russia-North Korea relations at a time when both face international isolation is being watched closely by Seoul and Washington, which have expressed concern about their growing military ties.
Putin said Moscow was fighting the hegemonic, imperialist policy of the United States and its allies, Russian media reported.
Kim said North Korea-Russia relations were entering a period of “new high prosperity”.
Following a summit with top aides then a one-on-one talks that lasted two hours, Putin and Kim signed a comprehensive strategic partnership pact, Russian media reported. Putin’s foreign policy aide has said the pact would be the basis for a broader cooperation between the two countries.
Earlier, Kim said the increasingly complicated security environment around the world called for a stronger strategic dialogue with Russia.
North Korea “expresses full support and solidarity to the Russian government, army and people in carrying out a special military operation in Ukraine to protect sovereignty, security interests, as well as territorial integrity”, he said.
Putin arrived at Pyongyang’s airport earlier in the day. After Kim welcomed him with an embrace, the two shared “pent-up inmost thoughts” on the ride to the state guest house, North Korean state media said.
The United States and its allies say they fear Russia could provide aid for North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs, which are banned by UN Security Council resolutions, and have accused Pyongyang of providing ballistic missiles and artillery shells that Russia has used in its war in Ukraine.
Moscow and Pyongyang have denied weapons transfers.